SUNDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS MATINEE & EVENING

December 2 & 5Miracle on 34th Street (1947)(1947)

A funny, touching, romantic favorite about the true meaning of Christmas. Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) is a popular department store Santa who claims he really is Santa Claus! His boss (Maureen O’Hara) is skeptical, as is her 8-year old daughter (Natalie Wood). When Kris’s sanity is challenged, it falls to O’Hara’s neighbor (John Payne) to defend him. ("It's not just Kris that's on trial, it's everything he stands for. It's kindness and joy and love…”) Rated PG

December 9 & 12Elf(2003)

Will Ferrell stars as Buddy, an elf who is, well, different from the other elves. When Papa Elf (Bob Newhart) informs Buddy that he was adopted, he sets out to find his human father (James Caan). This surprise hit comedy became a modern Christmas classic, thanks to Ferrell’s endearing performance as Buddy (“Son of a nutcracker!”), whose childlike Christmas spirit softens the most cynical of hearts. (“Santa, HERE? I know him, I know him!”) Rated PG

December 16 & 19National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation(1989)

The third in the popular vacation series finds Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) determined to a have a “good old-fashioned family Christmas.’’ But Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) and a house full of wacky relatives don’t make it easy. Chase and Quaid are joined by fellow Saturday Night Live alumni Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Brian Doyle-Murray. Beverly D’Angelo is Clark’s always supportive wife, Ellen. (“We checked every bulb, didn’t we?”) Rated PG-13

December 23 & 24It's a Wonderful Life (1946)(1947)

Frank Capra’s classic is a cherished Christmas tradition for countless families. Building & loan owner George Bailey (James Stewart) is all that stands between the good people of Bedford Falls and the wicked miser Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore). When misfortune strikes on Christmas Eve, George realizes, with the help of an angel named Clarence (Henry Travers), that he truly has a “wonderful life.” ("No man is a failure who has friends.”) Rated PG

December 30 & January 2Die Hard(1988)

Is it a Christmas movie or isn’t it? Who cares? It’s one of the best action thrillers ever. Bruce Willis is New York cop John McClane, in LA during Christmas to visit his estranged wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia). When the skyscraper in which Holly works is taken over by a murderous gang it falls to McClane to save the day. Alan Rickman is superbly sinister as the chief villain. (“Do you really think you have a chance against us, Mr. Cowboy?”) Rated R